Ishpeming- Elaine Nell Rice, age 81 formerly of 259 Jasper St. Ishpeming passed away Thursday morning, February 5, 2009 at the Eastwood Nursing Center in Negaunee.

Elaine was born February 12, 1927 in Ishpeming to Evald & Myrtle (Rich) Johnson. She graduated from Ishpeming High School with a GED. Elaine worked as a waitress at Johnny's Restaurant, as a floral designer for the Ishpeming Greenhouse and later working in housekeeping at Bell Hospital and cleaning offices at the Marquette County Road Commission. Elaine loved making floral arrangements even after retiring she made arrangements for weddings and loved crafts.

Elaine is survived by 5 children: Donald (Skipper) Rice of Ishpeming, Thomas (Sally) Rice of Jackson, MI, William (Patty) Rice of Ishpeming, Nancy (Frank) Misale of Ishpeming and Patricia Korir of Mountain View, CA, 3 sisters: Myrtle (Ray) Hutter of Marquette, Helen Korpi of Marquette and Joanne (Robert) Pilon of Kingsford, a brother Robert Johnson of Ishpeming, 12 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren along with numerous nieces & nephews. Elaine was preceded in death by her husband Donald, 2 brothers William & Duane Johnson and 3 sisters Marjorie Curran, Sue Opsahl and Carol Harper.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 3:00PM at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home in Ishpeming with Frank Misale officiating. The family will greet friends and relatives from 1:00PM until the time of services at the funeral home.